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University of Oregon
UO Libraries

Special Collections in the Design Library

This guide identifies the rare books, artists books, archival slides, art, drawings, and other special materials held by the Design Library.

Introduction to the Design Library Special Collections

Please note: Design Library Special Collections, including rare books and artists' books, are available to view in the Design Library by appointment only. Please contact designlibrary@uoregon.edu to request to view an item. 

This guide is an introduction to the unique resources available to the UO community that can be found in the University of Oregon's Design Library. Many books, drawings, and works of art were gifted in the early years of the school by the professors, architects, artists, and visiting lecturers who were interested in building a major resource for research and instruction. Throughout the years, librarians have diligently collected and preserved various artifacts connected with the school's history. In 1991, a major bequest from Marion Dean Ross, former chair of the Art History department, established an endowment which has been dedicated to acquiring rare architectural books. In 2014, the availability of added space for the Design Library in enabled more space for these valuable resources and greater ability to access and use them for instruction and research.

Design Library Special Collections Gallery

Chavire. Flip Book.  (Artists' book)

Tea Ceremony Foldout Plan
(Chaseki okoshiezu mokuroku)

Historia de Cuba (Rare books)

George Warden. Observatory (Architectural drawing)

Carl Heilborn. Midway (Art work)

Julie Chen, artist (Artist book)

Roma sacra e moderna (1725) (Rare Book)

Julie Chen. Ode to a Grand Staircase. (Artist book)

Ahavai Synagogue Portland (archival slide)

My Flag, by Babette Katz (artist book)

Tea Ceremony Foldout Plan
(Chaseki okoshiezu mokuroku)

Owen Jones. Plans, designs ... Alhambra (Rare book)

Plan de Paris / Turgot (1739) (Rare book)

Constance Fowler. In Old Salem. (Rare book)

Piranesi. Antichità€ d'Albano e di Castel Gandolfo (Rare book)

Narkopolis (Rare book)

Prianesi. Castello de Acqua Giulia

Visit the Design Library

The Design Library is located in 200 Lawrence Hall at the University of Oregon. In the library you can:

  • get research assistance
  • check out books & more
  • study in sunlit spaces
  • use the computers, scanners, printers
  • see an exhibition
  • reserve a collaboration room

Library hours available here